Page:Mexico and its reconstruction.djvu/319

Rh There are many ways, of course, in which no other country can assist in this development. If Mexico is to find the way out of her travail to a worth-while independence, she must do so primarily by her own efforts. There are some ways in which she can be assisted. The granting of such assistance should be a part of the policy of the United States, not only because of its obligations to its neighbor, but also because of its obligation to itself.

Most of the means by which Mexican-American relations can be improved are, contrary to popular opinion, those in which the two governments are involved not at all or in a secondary manner. Greatly to be desired and fundamental, is the establishment of a better appreciation by the people of each republic of the people of the other and of their problems. To this end the government can contribute but little. Americans have known foreign lands so superficially that they have little patience with a foreign point of view. Their increasing touch with world affairs will help to banish their provincialism and make them see things through other men's eyes as they have not in the past. They will learn by contact to assimilate the good in other civilizations and develop a spirit of tolerance not now a striking characteristic. As this change occurs Americans will reach a new estimate of Mexicans.

The vision of Mexicans has not been wider. They also have felt the influence of the foreigner, but they have not come to appreciate him. One of the indirect beneficent results of the revolution will be the broadening of the national point of view, brought about by